Congress president Sonia Gandhi during an election rally in Buxar.(PTI Photo)

A combative Sonia Gandhi on Saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the twin issues of price rise and growing intolerance, and said the BJP-led government at the Centre was trying to thrust its ideology on the country.

Gandhi’s broadsides at the BJP came while addressing two campaign rallies in Bihar’s Buxar and Manjhi in Chapra district.

The five-phase assembly elections in the state are underway and polling for the third phase for 50 seats will be held on October 28. The Congress is part of the grand alliance which includes the ruling JD-U and the RJD.

The Congress leader sought to connect with voters on the issue of price rise, saying the Prime Minister did not listen to the groans of the common man struggling to make both ends meet.

“Did he hear your voice on rising prices of dal and vegetables and how difficult it has become for women to run their households. Does Modiji hear their voice today?” Gandhi told the gathering.

She termed the assembly polls as the battle of Buxar -- referring to the famous battle fought between the British and Mughal forces in 1764 -- and urged voters to take a decisive stand to issues afflicting the masses typical of the character of the land, as it is a fight between ideologies.

In her addresses, similar in tone and tenor, she said the grand alliance was not just a coalition of three parties but an alliance of common people.

“I am asking for votes not only for the sake of Bihar’s development but for a bigger goal of India’s development. Farmers and youths have been left to fend for themselves for want of reasonable returns of their produce and jobs,” she added.

She also accused the BJP of creating communal frenzy and said that its rule was threatening the democratic and social fabric of the country.

“The BJP government is moving away from democratic ideals. It is creating a serious threat for our democracy by imposing its ideology on the people. Communal tension is being created,” she added.